Cleaning is axually easy.  Find the hoses that go into the heater, on the
outside of the vehcile.  Disconnect each and reverse flush with a garden
hose.  Works every time. At this point you have to realize the rest of the
cooling system may need flushed  also. If you don't flush it, it may
just plug the heater core again.  I've done this in many vehicles.

            Eric                   86-VW4x4
            vw4x4@fyi.net          86-SS Syncro
            Pittsburgh, PA USA     1936-Chrysler
                                   92-Jetta GWC
            www.fyi.net/~vw4x4/vw4x4.htm

On Fri, 10 Dec 2004, Al and Sue Brase wrote:

> Does anyone have any ideas of possible procedures to clean a heater
> core? I'm getting very little heat out of it. It's been getting worse
> the last few years. I guess I should not have used stop leak way back in
> the 90s to stop the head gasket leaks!
> Yes, the coolant is getting up to temp. I've changed thermostats with no
> improvement.
> I'm able and willing to take out the heater core. With new ones a dealer
> only item and SO expensive I'd just l;ike to try cleaning.
> How about some slight caustic cleaner?
> I feel the best way to clean if it was out would be an ultrasonic bath
> type like jewelers use, but this is a bit bigger thatn a watch.
> My radiator shop says no to taking it apart. They would if it were brass.
> Al Brase
> 87 Vanagon, luke warm
>
> >
> >
>